The theme for the 2012
ASLA Annual Meeting & EXPO is Beyond
Boundaries—Design, Leadership & Community. More than 5,000 landscape
architecture professionals from across the country and around the world will
gather in Phoenix, September 28 – October 1, to enjoy the fellowship of others
from the profession and to reconnect with the fundamental elements of design.
Key issues such as practice management, sustainability and stormwater
management will be addressed by some of the country’s foremost experts in the
field.

Each year, the ASLA Professional Awards program honors the
best in landscape architecture from around the globe, while the Students Award
program gives us a glimpse of the future of the profession. The ASLA Awards
Ceremony will be at 12 p.m., October 1 in the Phoenix Convention Center. To
learn more about the awards, click here.

Scroll down to see the collection of urban design programs, free
to the press unless otherwise stated:

Friday, Sept. 28

“Mitigating
Urban Heat Islands by Predicting Impacts of Urban Parks/Open Space” –
Mitigating extreme heat is critical to the quality of life in cities vulnerable
to the heat-island effect. This presentation is based on studies that have
modeled vegetation-based urban design and applies this current urban
climatology research to landscape architecture practice. 8:30 - 10 a.m.

“(Re)Mediating
Nature & Culture: The Post-Industrial Urban Park as Learning Lab” – Parklands
as greenspace in the redevelopment of derelict industrial brownfield sites
demand skilled and interdisciplinary collaboration. They present the rare
opportunity to replant, recalibrate, reinvent and learn. Four panelists will
discuss how remediation can reunite culture and nature in the urban context. 3:30 - 5 p.m.

“The
Re/evolution of Public Space: Assessing ‘Urban Interventions’” – The
public commons is under ever-greater pressure to serve multiple functions. This
discussion will share key themes from the May 2012 Seattle Center/AIA Seattle
competition to envision new modes of public space in celebration of the 50th
anniversary of the Seattle World’s Fair. 3:30
- 5 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 29

“In-between
Spaces: Reclaiming Public Space in the Metropolis” – Dense
urban communities seem to lack open space, even while alleys and medians sit
idle. Urban designers can creatively incorporate these in-between spaces. This
session will highlight ways to transform underused public spaces by layering
innovative design with dynamic, social places for people. 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

“Retrofitting
Villages, Towns and Cities for Greater Pedestrian and Bicyclist Mobility” – The
last half century of development in most cities, towns and villages has not
been kind to walkers and bicyclists. This session will introduce pedestrian-
and bicyclist-friendly retrofitting concepts for rural, suburban and urban
applications to make bicycling and walking more enjoyable. 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

“Reusing
Infrastructure: Mobility, Open Space and Development Opportunities” – Urban
decision makers across the country have largely overlooked transportation
infrastructure through underused industrial corridors. Yet forward-thinking
cities are embracing these corridors as opportunities for transit, open space
and economic revitalizations. Presenters will explain developments in
Pittsburgh, Atlanta and Los Angeles. 1:30
- 3 p.m.

Sunday, Sept. 30

“Meeting
the Northwest Livability Challenge” – As the population of the Northwest
grows by millions over the next 25 to 30 years, the region will face enormous
pressure on infrastructure, environment and natural resources. We must look now
at interdisciplinary opportunities to accommodate this growth. 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Monday, Oct. 1

“A Return
to the City: Urban Parks as Catalysts for Growth in Second-Tier Cities” –
National decentralization has resulted in the identification of what has become
known as “second-tier cities.” This session will explore the unique
opportunities and constraints of new urban parks in three of these cities
located in Oklahoma, Missouri and Alabama.
8 - 9:30 a.m.

“Renewable
Energy in an Urban Landscape” – Landscape architects can be more involved
with issues that incorporate renewable energy systems. Examples are food waste
and solar and wind power. This panel will discuss opportunities for both large-
and site-scale systems, trends, technology and financing opportunities. 8 - 9:30 a.m.

“Cool Designs for Hot Cities: Site Strategies
to Mitigate the Urban Heat Island” – Urban heat and poor air quality are
already a major cause of asthma and mortality in dense urban areas.
Neighborhoods with less vegetation suffer from higher nighttime temperatures as
well. This session will introduce the latest research on how design can cool
urban hot spots. 8 -9:30 a.m.

“Streets
as Public Space: Street Modifications that Stimulate Social Gathering” Landscape
architects can be more involved with issues that incorporate renewable energy
systems. This panel will discuss opportunities for both large- and site-scale
systems, trends, technology and financing opportunities. 1:30 - 3 p.m.

More great urban design programming on tap at the 2012 ASLA Annual
Meeting & EXPO:

Urban and
Sustainable Agriculture’s Role in Community Growth and Transformation, Oct. 1, 3:30 - 5 p.m.

Working journalists attending the ASLA Annual Meeting and EXPO for editorial coverage are eligible to
receive complimentary media credentials. The media credentials provide access
to the EXPO floor, general sessions, education sessions and the working press
room with computers, internet access and refreshments.

Media
interested in attending should contact Karen Trimbath at ktrimbath@asla.org
with their name, address, email, phone number, title and media organization.
Due to limited space, journalists are strongly encouraged to register well in
advance. All requests are approved upon a case-by-case basis, and ASLA may
require additional documentation for credentials. For any questions, contact Karen Trimbath.

About ASLA

Founded
in 1899, ASLA is the national professional association for landscape
architects, representing nearly 16,000 members in 48 professional chapters and
76 student chapters. The Society's mission is to lead, to educate and to
participate in the careful stewardship, wise planning and artful design of our
cultural and natural environments. Members of the Society use their “ASLA”
suffix after their names to denote membership and their commitment to the
highest ethical standards of the profession. Learn more about landscape
architecture online at www.asla.org.